A Premier League footballer has apologised for his "ill-thought out and insensitive" decision to host a fancy dress party wearing a suicide bomber costume.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling sought to make a "comedy play" on the popular Jagerbomb drink by strapping bottles of Jagermeister and Red Bull to his body when he held a party at his home, according to his management.

But he has been described as 'thoughtless' by a survivor of the July 7 bombings in London.

Jacqui Putnam, who survived the Edgware Road blast in 2005, said people should "think twice" before making light of terrorism.

The England international is pictured in The Sun appearing to wear an army-style vest with the alcohol bottles, a mock circuit board and cables attached.

Smalling has made eight appearances for England

He also appears to be wearing an Arab kaffiyeh headdress.

Ms Putnam said that even after eight years, people affected are still coming to terms with the terror attack.

"It does not make it any easier when you see people who make light of it," she said.

"It is silliness really. I do not think people who do these things mean any harm but unfortunately the affect it has on people like me and people who are in a worse position - those who lost loved ones - is hurtful.

"I am sure that he did not mean to offend anyone but I wish people would think twice."

Wasserman Media Group said in a statement: "Chris and his girlfriend hosted a fancy dress party to celebrate Christmas and their belated birthdays with close friends in the assumed privacy of his own home.

"He dressed in a costume consisting of empty bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull strapped to his chest in an attempted comedy play on the popular 'Jagerbomb' drink.

"Although he fully accepts in hindsight it was an ill-thought out and insensitive decision, absolutely no harm was intended whatsoever and he apologises for any offence caused."

Smalling signed for Manchester United from Fulham in January 2010. He has made 20 appearances under new boss David Moyes this season.

He made his senior England debut in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria in September 2011 and has gone on to make eight more appearances for the national team.